By Judy Davie
**”I’m finding myself drawn to junk food all the time. I love fruit and vegies but find they are too expensive. I lack energy from eating junk but don’t know how to force myself to eat healthily.”
— Tracy**
I’ve heard this before and the good news is that you can do it — with a bit of effort. And the reward for forcing yourself to eat healthily is feeling better than you can possibly imagine feeling right now.
It’s interesting how addictive junk food can be. There’s a term called “the bliss point” given to junk and packaged food where the amount of added salt or sugar reaches a point where people love it so much they will want to come back for more. It’s that point where the food becomes more-ish — just like a drug!
And like any drug you have to wean yourself off it. In my opinion the easiest way is to go cold turkey for at least six months. Stop eating junk food altogether and wait for your taste buds to adjust to the more subtle and delicate flavour in natural food. Once your palate and mind has overcome its addiction you’re likely to find that the food you once craved now tastes like an assault to the senses.
Regarding fruit and vegies being too expensive:
Visit the local grower’s market on the weekend. The growers bring fresh produce direct from their farms to sell to the public. Fruit and vegetables are super fresh and prices are lower as the growers don’t have the same overheads as supermarket chains.
Buy in season. Seasonal produce is not only cheaper but it tastes great and is better for you, as it hasn’t been grown in artificial conditions or stored for months in supermarket freezers. For a list of foods in season now, go to www.sydneymarkets.com.au
At this time of year, apples, pears, mandarins, root vegetables and Chinese greens are all well priced. Check the special boards at the supermarket or green grocer for the best buys. The great news is that all fruit and vegetables are good for you so buy what you can afford.
A big pot of chicken and vegie soup made with chicken, onion, leeks, celery, carrots, swede, zucchini and bulked up with pearl barley is a very affordable meal and will last for days (and it’s much tastier a couple of days after making). A soup like this is loaded with nutrients and with added low-GI barley will fill you up and sustain that full feeling for hours — much longer than any take away fast food will do. And as far as how you force yourself to do it, you have to plan and shop for a few days ahead. Cast your mind back to the days when there was no fast food. Women had to plan a few days in advance and go out and buy what they needed. If you go to work you may buy seven apples and seven mandarins and take one of each to work every day — it’s much cheaper than buying from small convenience stores.
Make large pots of food and freeze them in individual containers and always have a supply of vegies either in the crisper of the fridge or frozen in the freezer to draw on in the evenings.
It will take some effort initially but in time will become much easier.
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